this post was submitted on 22 Oct 2025
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I have a couple friends like this. Live with their moms, over 25, never had a job or anything. Only plays games. I feel so bad for them because they don't think they are smart but they definitely are, they just dont spend their time wisely.

Im not judging. That life sounds great when youre young. But I dont want them to wake up at 35 and be even more depressed because they've never done anything in life.

It would be well and good if they were happy like this but they definitely aren't. Im just not sure how someone like that could even integrate into society. I give them advice here and there and sometimes talk about jobs with them, but they are also self proclaimed "lazy" and never really branch out to try new things. I try to send them links to code camps and stuff like that i think they'll enjoy, but they dont do it. I've offered to hang out with them when im their town (we've been friends for years and know each other very well so this isnt weird) but they cant drive either which makes ir hard.

I already know most replies wil be "ITS FINE TO HAVE A BORING LIFE LEAVE THEM ALONE AND STOP TRYING TO "SAVE" THEM" but a boring life is different than a healthy life, imo.

Edit: i knew there'd be a lot of misinterpretation and people self reflecting on their own lives as a result of this post. Regardless, I am glad for the discussion. Thank you to those of you who had constructive comments instead of outright attacks.

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[–] Redacted@lemmy.world 8 points 3 days ago (21 children)

"Im not judging", proceeds to judge.

These days 25 isn't that old to be living at home given extortionate rent and lack of decent job prospects. So if they had a soul-crushing job they would be "healthy" in your eyes?

Why are you so optimistic/pushy about them becoming wage slaves?

[–] bridgeenjoyer@sh.itjust.works 2 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (6 children)

I never said they had to get any sort of job. But they dont do anything (bike, running, volunteer, board game groups. Literally anything)

I just brought up the job thing because its easy.

Also. No being can live without doing some work, and i dont believe its healthy to do so. Even creating art can be "work" (at least for me it is).

[–] Redacted@lemmy.world 4 points 3 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (2 children)

They play games and socialise online. Why would a board game group be any better than that? In terms of exercise, that's their prerogative, I'm sure they will at some point when health issues start arising but why are you so bothered if they don't?

I could personally live quite happily without doing work. When animals are fed and watered do the get back to grafting? No, they socialise, lounge about or play. Stop trying to push your definitions of "living" on others.

[–] otp@sh.itjust.works 8 points 2 days ago (1 children)

They play games and socialise online. Why would a board game group be any better than that?

In-person interactions are quantifiably different than online interactions, and it's helpful to have those skills in one's repertoire.

In terms of exercise, that's their prerogative, I'm sure they will at some point when health issues start arising but why are you so bothered if they don't?

Because OP cares about their friends and wants them to get ahead of things rather than waiting until it's too late to start paying attention to their health.

The best way to treat an unhealthy heart is to not let it get unhealthy in the first place, for instance.

[–] Redacted@lemmy.world 6 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

Ok fair enough, for social interactions, board games would probably be better than video games but perhaps they are more introverted than OP.

I'm sure OP has good intentions but as others have said you can't push your vision of healthy living on others, they have to come to that conclusion themselves. Apparantly these friends are smart so likely know the health effects of a sedentry lifestyle and that's their choice.

The tone of writing is quite condescending pretending those of us that have jobs or other hobbies live in some kind of work-happy socially integrated utopia.

[–] otp@sh.itjust.works 1 points 2 days ago

Being smart doesn't mean they know everything. They would probably get it if they read up on it, but not every gamer reads up on the health effects of a sedentary lifestyle, etc.

I get that people have different hobbies. My primary hobby is gaming. I'm introverted. I enjoy working remotely. I like my job, but I'd still quit if a passion project could support my life.

If I were stagnating by spending all of my time with hobbies and not improving myself or my future, I'd hope that someone would help snap me out of it.

[–] bridgeenjoyer@sh.itjust.works 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

You dont think much about who provides you the food, clothing, electricity, housing to live comfortably. People seem to forget about those who are working in the sewers and keeping your plumbing running, and that the world would be totally fine if no-one did any work at all.

Now, do we need to sit in cubicles 45 hours a week, likely not. But there is still work that has to be done to survive and thrive.

[–] Redacted@lemmy.world 4 points 2 days ago

I think about that all the time personally and think those sort of jobs should be the highest paying.

But getting an average 40 hour per week office job is not helping those sorts of things whatsoever, it will just be increasing profit for shareholders.

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